Happy Birthday George Foster!!!

Happy Birthday George Foster!!!

George Foster turns 65 years old today.

Simply put – George Foster is a bad-ass!!  Never known for 1 talent that overwhelmed the rest of his skills, Foster compiled some incredible stats over the course of his 18-year career.  And during the 1976 and ’77 seasons when his Cincinnati Reds teams were at the top of the baseball world, Foster was leading the way.  In 1976, Foster finished 2nd in the MVP voting while hitting .306 with 29 home runs and 121 RBI.  He outdid himself the next year by winning the Most Valuable Player award after blasting 52 dingers, driving in 149 runs, and still hitting an amazing .320.  Foster continued to build on his rapidly growing legacy as he finished in the Top 12 for MVP in 3 of the next 4 seasons.  George Foster led his Cincinnati Reds teams to 2 World Series titles in 1975 and 1976.  In the 13 games he played in World Series competition, Foster hit an incredible .326.

Happy Birthday Mr. Foster!!!

George Foster PermaGraphics Credit Card / Baseball Card

George Foster PermaGraphics Credit Card / Baseball Card

I haven’t added any cards of George Foster to my player collection since completing it a few months ago. 

I was waiting for a modern card to appear that intrigued me.

And I wanted something unique as well.

Well, I think that I accomplished both goals!  Kind of…

Have a look:

This is a PermaGraphics card of Foster that was issued sometime in the early 1980’s.  There is no copyright date on the back, but knowing the brand, I am guessing that this was issued right around 1980-81.

I like the vintage photo of Foster that they chose.  And while not traditional, I like the look of the Reds logo too.

Not modern, but very unique!!   Mission accomplished!!

Happy Birthday George Foster!!!

Happy Birthday George Foster!!!

George Foster turns 64 years old today.

Simply put – George Foster is a bad-ass!!  Never known for 1 talent that overwhelmed the rest of his skills, Foster compiled some incredible stats over the course of his 18-year career.  And during the 1976 and ’77 seasons when his Cincinnati Reds teams were at the top of the baseball world, Foster was leading the way.  In 1976, Foster finished 2nd in the MVP voting while hitting .306 with 29 home runs and 121 RBI.  He outdid himself the next year by winning the Most Valuable Player award after blasting 52 dingers, driving in 149 runs, and still hitting an amazing .320.  Foster continued to build on his rapidly growing legacy as he finished in the Top 12 for MVP in 3 of the next 4 seasons.  George Foster led his Cincinnati Reds teams to 2 World Series titles in 1975 and 1976.  In the 13 games he played in World Series competition, Foster hit an incredible .326.

Happy Birthday Mr. Foster!!!

George Foster ‘Fab Five’ – Card #1 – 1972 Topps

George Foster ‘Fab Five’ – Card #1 – 1972 Topps

Now that my George Foster collection is complete, it is time to show of my favorite five cards from the set.

Card #1 – 1972 Topps

Simply stated, there is nothing that I do not like about this baseball card.

The card is true baseball card vintage – 40 years old!!

The card happens to be George Foster’s first in his Cincinnati Reds uniform, which is one of my favorite historic uniforms.

Oh, and best of all, the photographer caught Mr. Foster with a smile on his face – a feat that was not too common in the early stages of his playing days….

Here is the card:

This card is easily my favorite from the set that I have put together that honors the great career of Mr. George Foster.

Thanks for reading.

George Foster ‘Fab Five’ – Card #2 – 1982 Topps “In Action”

George Foster ‘Fab Five’ – Card #2 – 1982 Topps “In Action”

Now that my George Foster collection is complete, it is time to show of my favorite five cards from the set.

Card #2 – 1982 Topps ‘In Action’

I am a big fan of the ‘In Action’ baseball cards that Topps issued in both their 1972 and 1982 sets.  I am also very happy to see them make their return in the 2012 Topps Archives set too.

As for the card of Foster, it offers a great look at Foster’s high-arm batting stance right as he is preparing to tear into the pitcher’s offering.

Foster was as strong of a slugger as there was – and he could crush the ball as far as almost anyone in the league.

The only picture that Topps could have used that would have been better would be one of him in the follow-through of a swing that just connected and sent the ball soaring.

I LOVE THIS CARD!!!

George Foster ‘Fab Five’ – Card #3 – 1977 Topps

George Foster ‘Fab Five’ – Card #3 – 1977 Topps

Now that my George Foster collection is complete, it is time to show of my favorite five cards from the set.

Card #3 – 1977 Topps

This card makes the list simply due to the sheer fear that Foster strikes in opposing pitchers with the famous scowl that appears on his face when at the plate.

Everything that I have read about Foster says that he was a quiet and religious man who never really had issues with teammates or opposing players.

And that may be fact, but if I were looking at this guy and I had to throw pitches in his direction, my knees would be shaking…

Take a look:

Foster was a dominant force in 1977.  His efforts of 52 home runs, 124 runs scored, and 149 RBI led to his winning of the 1977 NL MVP Award.

George Foster ‘Fab Five’ – Card #4 – 1981 Donruss

George Foster ‘Fab Five’ – Card #4 – 1981 Donruss

Now that my George Foster collection is complete, it is time to show of my favorite five cards from the set.

Card #4 – 1981 Donruss

OK, I promise from here on out the rest of my George Foster ‘Fab Five’ will feature nothing but Reds cards….

And this one may be a bit controversial too – The graphics are poor, the text is bland, the image is grainy, and the colors don’t match.

Have a look:

Question: So, how does this one land in the #4 spot?

Answer: IVY!!!  Wrigley Field is the best backdrop for any baseball card.  The ivy of the outfield wall is as unmistakable as Fenway’s Green Monster!!

George Foster ‘Fab Five’ – Card #5 – 1986 Topps

George Foster ‘Fab Five’ – Card #5 – 1986 Topps

Now that my George Foster collection is complete, it is time to show of my favorite five cards from the set.

Card #5 – 1986 Topps

I didn’t think that a non-Reds card of Foster would crack the ‘Fab Five’ but one did.  And while I will not give any hints about the next four cards to be featured, I will say that this is the only non-Reds card in the group.

I like the 1986 design – I have fondly tagged it as the ‘Stencil Set’ due to its very basic and elementary design.

As for this specific card, I just really like the way that Foster looks.  He is a flashback to the 1970’s, and his style remains true to that decade.

Have a look:

Today’s equivalent would be a baseball card featuring a player wearing Crocs while doing stretches in the outfield.  Imagine Prince Fielder or Ichiro…  LOL!

My George Foster Player Collection Is Complete!!!

My George Foster Player Collection Is Complete!!!

Friends, I am here to tell you that another player collection has been completed.

And I am thrilled to tell you that the player we’re talking about is former NL MVP, Mr. George Foster.

Foster was an integral part of the ‘Big Red Machine’.  His ability to drive in runs with one mighty swing of the bat was a perfect addition to a line-up that featured high-quality hitters and runners.

Foster’s greatest success at the plate came right after the team’s two consecutive World Series titles, but he was a key cog in both championship seasons as well.

I am very excited about this one.  It is a perfect addition to the collection I am building that honors my favorite baseball dynasty.

Here is the full collection:

And like I do with all of my newly completed player collection, I will showcase my ‘Fab Five’ for you starting next Monday.

Stay tuned.  And thanks for reading!!

George Foster 1973 Topps

George Foster 1973 Topps

This is one of those photos in which you have to wonder what the player was thinking as the photographer was trying to get them into the mood to take some great photos.

And sadly, very few turn out well.  And realistic for that matter….

Foster was known to be a quiet guy that was hard to get to know.  Couple that with his tough physical demeanor, and you probably had a very nervous and somewhat nervous photographer on hand.

Picture this:

“OK, um Mr. Foster, it would be really nice if you could just maybe bend your knees a bit.  Yeah, like that.  Maybe a little more.  Like you were preparing to field a ground ball, perhaps.  Just a little more, please.  Ok, now please raise your arms.  No, not above your head.  Just above your knees.  Lower.  Lower.  Lower.  Ok, that is fine.  Please keep bending your knees, sir.  Ok, now can you give me a smile?  Yes, a smile – like you’re having a great time at the ballpark.  Oh, wait, that is your smile?  Sorry.”

CLICK.